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Progressive Europe Ministers Working for a fair solution to Keep UK in the EU

Socialists and Democrats Europe Ministers met today in Brussels in order to coordinate prior to the General Affairs Council. Ahead of the 18 and 19th of February European Council that will mainly focus on a new settlement for the United Kingdom within the EU, they reaffirmed their determination to preserve the integrity of the Union and their willingness to see the UK stay in European Union.

The impact of the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union could hardly be overstated. The Ministers stated their unswerving commitment to keeping the UK in the European Union while preserving the principles and values that are at the heart of the common EU project. They agree that together in a coordinated manner they stand stronger to improve the EU, and use it as an instrument for growth, jobs, and social fairness for the benefit of European citizens.

Socialists and Democrats Ministers also discussed refugee crisis in Europe.

French Minister of State for European Affairs and chair of the PES GAC Ministers network, Harlem Desir, stated:

"There can be only an European answer to the crisis if we want to preserve asylum right and Schengen acquis. We have already agreed on a set of measures, including hotspots, relocation of refugees, control of external borders, European coast guard, fight against smugglers, enhanced cooperation with countries of transit and origin, action plan with Turkey. We need now to focus on the implementation. Socialists have been fighting for a fair and effective European solution to the crisis, following our principles of fair sharing of responsibility, solidarity and mutual respect."

The meeting was also attended by

Lubomír Zaorálek, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech RepublicMichael Roth, Minister of State for Europe, GermanySandro Gozi, State Secretary for European Affairs, ItalyMargarida Marques, State Secretary for European Affairs, PortugalHans Dahlgren, State Secretary for International and EU Affairs, SwedenEnrique Guerrero, Vice President of the S&D Group in the European ParliamentFrazer Clarke, Deputy Secretary General of the S&D Group in the European ParliamentYonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES